THE defender praised the Arabs gaffer for breathing new life into his career after admitting Bristol City boss Sean O'Driscoll could have ruined it.

Wilson had a miserable time down south but is now thriving with new United deal

MARK WILSON went from Celtic captain to dividing his Saturday afternoons between family days out and staying at home watching the football results roll in.

And the defender couldn’t work out how it had gone so horribly wrong as he found himself stagnating under a
manager who didn’t even talk to him.

But
the Dundee United man has praised Jackie McNamara for breathing new life into his career after admitting former boss Sean O’Driscoll could have ruined it.

Wilson was so far out of the picture at Bristol City he didn’t even make the matchday squad.

Now
the 29-year-old Scotland cap has been reinvigorated at Tannadice, where
his career started, and will sign a contract extension in the next 48 hours to stay at the club until the end of next season.

Wilson said: “It’s been a different world
coming back to United where people want to chat with you. Jackie will talk to you about what was on TV the night before or just about life in general.

“Sean O’Driscoll couldn’t do that and
it wasn’t just me. I suppose that was part of his downfall at Bristol City but I’m grateful Jackie brought me in and gave me a chance to prove
I can still play.

“It’s been great coming back and working with the coaching staff and younger players. It’s made me enjoy it again and I’m delighted I’ve got this new deal to feel settled in one
place rather than move about.

“I didn’t have the best year after leaving Celtic. It didn’t work out at Bristol City and I got down about football.

“My
form wasn’t great at Bristol City but I felt I deserved a better chance
although it was nothing to do with Derek McInnes who took me there.

“I loved working under Derek but when he was sacked and O’Driscoll came in it was quite a low point. I first spoke to him when he was appointed and he said everyone had a fresh start and was in his plans.

“The next time I spoke to him was the
last – the week before I left! He didn’t like chatting one on one. He was a strange fella and would leave it to his assistant Richard O’Kelly to tell me I wasn’t in the squad.

“I used to sit on a Saturday and ask myself how I couldn’t get into the squad never mind the starting 11. I spent Saturdays on day trips with the family or watching the results on Soccer Saturday.

“At Celtic I’d been captain a few times under Neil Lennon, including my last game .

“When I left I was fit and ready to go with six years at Parkhead behind me. I wanted to prove myself at Bristol City but it all went wrong when O’Driscoll took over.”

After
a successful trial last summer Wilson moved to Tannadice for a second spell and will sign a new deal before Monday’s Tayside derby with St Johnstone where United are looking to end a six-game winless run.

He
said: “I’ve got two days to sign it before my current one expires. It’s
been agreed for a while but I wanted to wait until after the busy festive period. Then time just ran away and I thought, ‘Wait a minute, I’ve not got a job next week!’”

Another factor in helping Wilson rediscover his enjoyment has been playing alongside United’s young stars
such as Ryan Gauld and John Souttar, who are both set to return to action after McNamara gave them a sunshine break last weekend.

The pair missed the 3-0 defeat to Ross County but Wilson believes the manager’s act was selfless.

He said: “John Rankin said Alex Ferguson used to do the same at Man United with young players and it’s very unselfish to realise guys need a rest and not worry how it might impact on him.

“It will be great to have the two of them back. Ryan is the
best I’ve played with – his movement and knowledge is incredible. John is also a marvellous talent and it’s refreshing to see a centre-half take risks in games.”